Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 29, 2025
10:25
Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Neutralizing Antibodies using High-Throughput Fluorescent Imaging of Pseudovirus Infection
Published on: June 5, 2021
4.6K
High-Content Imaging-Based Assay for SARS-CoV-2-Neutralizing Antibodies
Vinícius Pinto Costa Rocha1,2, Bruna Aparecida Souza Machado1, Helenita Costa Quadros2
1Institute of Health Technology, National Industrial Learning Service-Integrated Manufacturing and Technology Campus, SENAI CIMATEC, Salvador 41650-010, Bahia, Brazil.
Vaccines
|March 28, 2024
Summary
A new imaging method quantifies neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 variants. This tool assesses vaccine-induced immunity and identifies viral escape from antibody neutralization, aiding vaccine development.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Virology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic requires monitoring population immunity against SARS-CoV-2 and its variants.
- New variants of concern necessitate robust methods for assessing neutralizing antibody levels.
Purpose of the Study:
- To standardize and validate an imaging-based assay for quantifying neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2.
- To evaluate the assay's ability to detect changes in serum neutralization post-vaccination and against emerging variants.
Main Methods:
- Development and validation of an imaging-based pseudovirus assay using ZsGreen-positive cells.
- Quantification of neutralizing antibodies in human sera from individuals vaccinated with CoronaVac, Comirnaty, or Covishield.
- Assessment of serum neutralization against pseudoviruses expressing spike proteins from Delta and Omicron (BA.1.1.529, BA.4/5) variants.
Main Results:
- The imaging assay efficiently quantified viral titers and detected changes in neutralization capacity.
- Vaccination with two doses of CoronaVac, Comirnaty, or Covishield increased serum potency.
- Delta and Omicron variants demonstrated significant escape from antibody neutralization induced by vaccination.
Conclusions:
- The validated imaging assay is a valuable tool for screening neutralizing antibodies and small molecules.
- The method can assess humoral immunity in diverse populations and support vaccine development efforts.
- Understanding antibody neutralization against SARS-CoV-2 variants is crucial for public health strategies.
